Would You Help? College Students’ Perceptions of Helping Behaviors

Abstract

During classroom discussions on prosocial behavior among undergraduate college students, focus groups have indicated that prosocial and altruistic behaviors did not develop during college but were perceived to develop later in adulthood. Participants (n=107) were instructed to read a scenario and respond if they would or would not intervene and provide a rationale. In conclusion, the majority of respondents stated that they would not intervene which was closely followed by respondents who would intervene posting similar concerns of the latter group (respondents who would not help) but also added commentary about compassion and moral concerns. A third group of respondents who were uncommitted to help or not help also posting similar concerns resembling bystander effect. Rationale of responses included the potential of negative influence incurred from helping such as embarrassment, aggression from the victim, and a lack of knowledge to feel comfortable in handling distress. All three groups of respondents posted comments of egotistical helping; therefore, the focus groups could be correct in their perceptions that altruistic helping does not develop in college but later in adulthood. Again, future research and civic social movements can ethically normalize the practice of helping into society.